A young person from the Virgin Islands who has traveled the world and discovered the unifying theme of excellent music is prepared to present that theme. releasing March On, his debut studio-produced single, on May 6. Produced by Climhazzard and engineered by Mak Smooth at Atlanta’s infamous LoudHouse Studios. 308 Island Productions, which features artists from Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, was founded by AJR WOW. With artists like Bakari thatkiddcam and Eric Skeyez on its roster, 308 is sure to have a successful year in 2022.
His second single, “Hometown Hero,” was just released. Being from the Virgin Islands, ‘Hometown Hero’ was a different approach and a more well-thought-out plan. However, living in Orlando and attending college in North Carolina gave him a well-rounded team around him. His first song, ‘March On,’ did well after a month of promotion. Checkout his latest single “Hometown Hero” and the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?
AJR WOW: Originally from the Virgin Islands, left when I was 13. My dad’s family filled with musicians, it took me a while to find my avenue and rapping/managing became it early in 2021.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
AJR WOW: No training, all self-taught. I do a lot of YouTube learning, #YoutubeUniversity
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘AJR WOW’?
AJR WOW: J. Cole is one of my biggest influences as how he not only started his career but able to stand the test of time whilst bringing a team with him. I choose the name AJR WOW, it stands for Allen Jr., my name, and simply just saying “Wow.” As I’m the last Allen left and I have a daughter so wow my name might not last long.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
AJR WOW: I’m always having fun, you can hear me smiling through my vocals have the time. I want people to feel the need to hear it again because they knew they didn’t catch everything the first time.
AJR WOW:
I started off with poetry early, then seeing how easy hits were being made in the music industry, decided to shift into melodies to make a bigger impact. My style is style developing as well.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
AJR WOW:
I think music can be both connecting to current times and connected personally to the artist. My music is more on an entertainment set as I try and navigate to get a bigger audience.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
AJR WOW:
I expect more in the future as I am building out my team with more producers & like minded folks to help build my sounds.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
AJR WOW:
I do a lot of free styling to form what my raps will be like. It doesn’t take much time after that. Collaborating with others is more of a development as I try to arrange the perfect song combos.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
AJR WOW:
Very easy to go viral which makes the competition thicker but not as great.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
AJR WOW: 7 other artists that want to grind and work that I grew up with, that’s a success in itself.
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Photo credits: AJR WOW
